Lyft Accident
Any time you are in a car accident, someone will be liable and responsible to cover the costs of medical bills. Payment most often comes from the responsible party’s auto insurance plan, so innocent victims don’t typically have to foot the bills on their own. If you were in an accident with a Lyft driver, you might wonder if that complicates the situation. In some ways it does, and others it doesn’t. The following are some things you should know and do after a Lyft accident.
Treat It Just Like Any Other Accident
Just like any other car accident you might be in, there are some things you should always do after you are in a wreck with a Lyft driver. Whether you were driving the other car, were crossing a street on foot or were the passenger in any cars involved, you should always contact the authorities to report the crash. This is done for a variety of reasons. First, the authorities will make a report that helps to determine fault. Second, it gets medical personnel there to tend to any injuries. Third, the authorities can help to divert traffic if you are unable to move the cars.
You should also collect evidence that shows the scene and the damage done. This includes photos and witness statements, as well as contact information for anyone involved. Something else you gather is insurance information for any drivers involved.
Discover Who to File a Claim With
Because Lyft is a ridesharing company, the distinct lines of fault may not be so clear. Is the Lyft driver liable or is the Lyft company responsible for compensating your medical bills? It depends on what the driver was doing at the time of the accident.
- Doing Nothing Related to Lyft – If a Lyft driver did not have his or her app on, did not have passengers he or she was transporting and was not waiting for a passenger notification, the driver’s personal car insurance policy would be where you receive compensation.
- Waiting for a Passenger – If a Lyft driver had the app on and was waiting for a passenger notification to match up with, or if the driver was en route to pick someone up after matching, Lyft has third party coverage that would compensate you for injuries up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.
- En Route With a Passenger – If a Lyft driver was carrying a passenger at the time of the accident, Lyft carries third party coverage up to $1,000,000 per occurrence.
Contacting Your Lawyer
If you were involved in an accident with a Lyft driver, either the driver’s personal insurance coverage or Lyft’s third party policy will cover your medical bills. Contact an attorney, like an auto accident lawyer in Tampa, FL from Jeff Murphy Law today to learn more about what you should do after the accident.